Construction boom around MacArthur and Airport Drive

Several projects are going up around MacArthur Street and Airport Drive, including the Oklahoma Baptist University residential village, the Airport Walking Track, and Belfair Assisted Living Center.

By Carmen Bourlon

Several projects are going up around MacArthur Street and Airport Drive, including the Oklahoma Baptist University residential village, the Airport Walking Track, and Belfair Assisted Living Center.

Many locals are excited to see the progress the community is making in this area.

"Anytime you see that much construction all in one place, it's exciting," Chris Harden said.

Belfair Assisted Living Center is nearing completion, according to officials. The assisted living center and memory care facility is slated to open in June, officials added.

The Airport Walking Track is also on schedule, according to Frank Loman with the city of Shawnee.

The estimated time remaining is about two months, weather permitting, Loman said. All of the asphalt for the track is in place, and the public may use the track, though they may want to avoid areas that are still being worked on.

Additionally the OBU residential village is slated to be finished by fall 2013 for that academic year.

"Construction is moving right along, in spite of the fourth-wettest April on record, on Oklahoma Baptist University's Student Residential Village," Randy Smith, executive vice president for business and administrative services, said. "We fully anticipate students moving into these apartments in August for the 2013-14 academic year. Current OBU students are very excited about the opportunity to live in these new apartments on the OBU campus."

Smith added that OBU is also working on its football field.

"We are adding major enhancements to the Eddie Hurt Jr. Memorial Track Complex to accommodate the first varsity football season on Bison Hill since 1940. Coming early this summer will be new grandstands and a press box," he said.